BANSALAN, Davao del Sur — The body of a 9-year-old boy who went missing after falling into an irrigation waterway during heavy rainfall was retrieved Saturday morning, August 23, 2025, in Barangay Managa, Bansalan, Davao del Sur.
Authorities identified the victim as “Jem,” a resident of Sitio Balutakay. His body was discovered around 10:51 a.m. near Tinago Falls in Purok Pananag-B following a joint search and retrieval operation led by the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP) Bansalan.
Police investigation revealed that the victim, along with his friends “Don” and “Kent,” had been playing in the irrigation canal after their class at Balutakay Elementary School on Friday afternoon, August 22. At around 4:00 p.m., sudden heavy rainfall caused the water level to surge, sweeping Jem and Don away. Kent, who tried to help, was also carried by the strong current.
Nearby residents quickly rushed to rescue the children. Don and Kent were pulled out alive and brought to the hospital, but Jem was carried further downstream and went missing until his body was recovered the following day.
The search effort was spearheaded by Acting Municipal Fire Marshal FINSP David J. Miralles, under the supervision of FSUPT Jeanny S. Calvario, Provincial Fire Marshal of Davao del Sur, and FCSUPT Junito F. Maslang, Regional Director of BFP Region 11. They were assisted by BFP-Balutakay, the BFP Special Rescue Force Davao del Sur, PNP-Balutakay, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) Bansalan, Kabalikat Radio Com. Bansalan Chapter, civilian volunteers, and barangay officials.
Authorities reminded parents and guardians to strictly monitor children’s activities, especially near waterways and canals, as sudden surges in water volume during rains pose life-threatening risks.